The Thai Chamber of Commerce chairman said Thailand's exports in June 2025 expanded 20.8% for the 24th consecutive month, reflecting the country's competitive strength in global markets despite uncertainty from geopolitical tensions, trade wars, and major-power policy shifts. First-half 2025 exports grew 17.6% overall.

Although imports grew faster than exports, creating a first-half trade deficit, the chairman cautioned against focusing solely on the deficit figure. Trade quality and the structure of imports and exports must be analyzed together to reveal the true economic direction. Commerce Ministry data shows that over 72% of Thailand's imports consist of raw materials, semi-finished goods, and capital goods such as components, machinery, and equipment for production and investment. Consumer goods account for only about 9% of total imports.

Expanding product categories include electronic components, circuit boards, electrical machinery, and industrial raw materials—indicating that import growth is mainly driven by investment, increased production capacity, and raw material preparation for future manufacturing and exports rather than consumption alone. Export market growth is diversified across multiple regions and both established and emerging markets, with strong expansion in the United States, and satisfactory growth in ASEAN, Japan, and the European Union. Secondary markets like Australia, Latin America, and South Asia also show continued growth, demonstrating Thai businesses' ability to manage risk and adapt amid global economic volatility.

Thai exports are increasingly supported by industrial and technology-based goods, including computers and components, electrical appliances, machinery, and electronics, while many agricultural products face pressure from commodity prices and global market conditions. This reflects Thailand's transition toward higher-technology and innovation-intensive exports. The chairman noted that the global economy is shifting from a Global Value Chain to a Regional Value Chain due to geopolitical tensions, trade barriers, and corporate restructuring. Thailand is no longer competing only on exports but is competing to become a production base, investment hub, and center of the regional value chain. While trade deficit figures warrant short-term monitoring, they signal Thailand's long-term economic structural transformation in export markets, product mix, and investment.

Luang Pu Po Thammisiri, the late abbot of Wat Ban Eiad (Wat Bodhi Sri Ban Eiad) in Khon Kaen's Maha Sarakham province, was a revered Buddhist elder of the old school whose reputation rivaled that of Luang Pu Sri Thammasathan of Wat Tai Kosoom and Luang Pu Sun Tikkhapanyo of Wat Ban Sua Goke. The amulet circle of Maha Sarakham produced many blessed objects from his lineage, all highly sought after. The first-edition oval portrait coin, cast in 2499 BE (1956), has been treasured for over 50 years and is said to have been spiritually empowered by Luang Pu Po himself. It was cast exclusively in fire-finished copper. The obverse features a half-length portrait with curved text along the rim reading "Ajarn Po Wat Bodhi Sri Ban Eiad." Because the portrait face resembles a Western person, amulet collectors call it the "foreign-face block"—placing it among Maha Sarakham's most prized rare coins. The reverse bears two rows of sacred syllables: the first reads "A U Ma Mi" and the second "Ma A U Mi," forming a heart mantra said to grant steadfastness and spiritual protection. Some coins show monk signature marks while others do not. According to teacher Promma, a 90-year-old retired instructor from Ban Eiad School, Luang Pu Po performed a solitary blessing ritual over the course of one Buddhist year. When the coins were first created, Luang Pu Po would sign each one personally and distribute them to devotees making merit. As word of the amulet's power spread, large numbers of people traveled daily to the temple to make offerings, but it became impossible to sign every coin on demand—which explains why some lack the signature mark. The exact number cast remains unknown, though estimates place it under 1,000 coins, a remarkably high production figure for that era. From the past to the present, the foreign-face block coin continues to command the highest regard among amulet enthusiasts.

On Saturday, August 1, 2026, the 142nd birth anniversary of Phra Thep Sithinayok, or Luang Pu Nak Sophono, the former abbot of Wat Rakhang Khositaram in Bangkok, was commemorated. This highly respected Buddhist master, known throughout the community for his piety and renown, created numerous sacred amulets and talismans, including powder-pressed amulets of revered monks and blessed coins. Originally named Nak Marengsit, he was born on August 1, 1884, at Prasat Village in Mueang Prasat Subdistrict, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, to parents Nayom Pom and Nang Songwan Marengsit. Like other village children, he sought education to bring honor to his family, but Nakhon Ratchasima then had no schools, only temples. His parents entrusted him to Phra Kru Sangkhawicharn (Mi), his uncle at Wat Bueng near the Chumpol Gate, who taught him appropriately. At age 13, he ordained in 1897 at Wat Bueng, Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, under Phra Kru Sangkhawicharn (Mi) as his preceptor. Recognized for his keen intelligence and scholarly ability, his teachers in Pali and Thai language encouraged him to pursue further studies at a respectable monastery in Bangkok. He traveled to Bangkok with a caravan of about 30 people, departing from Nakhon Ratchasima and arriving after a month-long journey. His uncle placed him under the care of Phra Ajarn Luem, a resident monk of Wat Rakhang Khositaram, whose dwelling was located near the canal entrance (now the site of Wat Rakhang Girls School). Phra Thamma Trailokacharya, who later became Somdet Phra Phutthakhosacharya (Maj. Mom Rajcharin Israngkun), the temple's abbot, provided him patronage. At age 15, he studied Pali and advanced to the translation level, becoming the first to recite the Dhamma in three verses before the King, with several venerable monks serving as ecclesiastical examiners. Novice Naka passed the oral examination in Dhamma three verses and received the Attha Brakhit Thai Dhamma gift from King Chulalongkorn, Rama V. In 1905, his determination did not waver; he continued his studies and passed the examination in four-verse Dhamma recitation through oral translation, a difficult achievement for that era. At age 21, he entered the higher ordination at the Buddhist precinct of Wat Rakhang Khositaram, with Somdet Phra Phutthakhosacharya (Rit) of Wat Arun as his preceptor, Somdet Phra Wanrat (Dit) of Wat Mahathat Yuvarajarangsi as his reciter of the ordinance, and Phra Thamma Koshacharya (Phae) of Wat Suthat Thepwararam as his witness. Phra Thamma Trailokacharya (Maj. Mom Rajcharin) gave the teachings, and his preceptor bestowed upon him the name "Sophono." In 1906, he passed the examination in five-verse Dhamma recitation but did not proceed to the sixth verse, as he was occupied with duties as close attendant serving the temple for Somdet Phra Phutthakhosacharya, the abbot. While studying Pali scriptures, he also pursued meditation practice and techniques at Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng) and Wat Ratchasittharam (Wat Phlab), engaging in rigorous mental cultivation over a ten-year period until he achieved the level of contemplative wisdom. In 1941, he created sacred amulets based on texts by Somdet Phra Phutthacharya (To Phomsrangsi). During this period of warfare in Southeast Asia, he distributed these sacred amulets to soldiers to carry into battle, boosting their morale and courage. The amulets created by Luang Pu Naka and those made in subsequent generations became highly popular and earned prestige in the amulet world.

"Every dream has a price," Channel One 31 presents the drama series "Sky Castle Thailand," an original creation adapted for Thai audiences by writers Santimoni Ratchada and Romthai Sakkadaech, directed by Kao Wirida Kuhavanit. The story follows Sky Castle, a gated community of elite families obsessed with education and securing their children's admission to top-tier universities worldwide. The plot centers on Coach Pim, a mysterious tutor with a 100% success rate in getting students into Ivy League schools and recently guiding the Soparangsee family's son into Harvard Medical School. Her services become highly coveted by the Wechyarachakij, Ungamanuytrop, and Chanyawanit families, but hiring Coach Pim comes with hidden costs and murky conditions. As ambition and cutthroat competition intensify among these families, two mysterious deaths within the community escalate tensions further when the Jenpraida family arrives. Director Kao Wirida Kuhavanit explains that the Thai adaptation reinterprets the original Korean version to reflect Thai context, particularly regarding education values and family love, while expanding the characters' aspirations beyond medicine to more ambitious global goals. Actress Nun Siriphant, who plays Coach Pim, notes that after watching the Korean version, she wanted to create a distinctly Thai interpretation of the character rather than simply copying the original performance, collaborating with the director to develop a unique Thai perspective for the role.

The NEXZTER BRIC Superbike Championship 2026 Round 2 at Chang International Circuit in Buriram on July 31 features official practice sessions for all classes, allowing riders to gather data and adjust their motorcycles before the weekend's main competitions. Leading Thai and international riders including Mix Thanat Laongphliu and Terle Pirapong Louiboonphaeng are taking part.

Saturday August 1 will host qualifying rounds starting at 1 p.m. to determine grid positions for all classes, followed by Honda Thailand Talent Cup Race 1 at 3:45 p.m. and Yamalube R7 Cup at 4:55 p.m.

Sunday August 2 marks the weekend's highlight with championship finals beginning with Honda Thailand Talent Cup Race 2 at 10:05 a.m. and Yamalube R9 Cup at 11:15 a.m. Ticketed fans can participate in a Pit Walk from 11:35 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for close-up paddock access before the main races proceed through Super Sport 250, Super Stock/Superbike 1000, Super Sport 600, and concluding with the premier Superbike 1000 class at 4:30 p.m.

Grandstand tickets are available at 100 baht per day and VIP tickets at 500 baht per day (Saturday and Sunday only) at ticket booths near the Grandstand entrance. Ticket holders can enter a raffle for prizes including VIP passes and Paddock Passes for MotoGP 2027, plus opportunities to meet world-class riders.

Fans can watch live coverage on True Sports 1 (Channel 666) on August 2 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., or stream via the Chang Circuit Buriram and BRIC Superbike 2026 Facebook pages and YouTube channel starting at 9 a.m.

BRIC Superbike is also expanding its audience to Asia through a long-term partnership with China's MFZ Racing, broadcasting the competition on major Chinese platforms including Douyin, Weibo, iQIYI, and Huya—a significant step toward establishing the Thai championship as a major regional motorsports event.